(Thread) Saving Democracy
This is an extremely important question.
We are being drenched in a Tsunami of Lies.
The better people understand the goal behind those drenching us, and how to respond, the better chance democracy has of surviving.
This is an extremely important question.
We are being drenched in a Tsunami of Lies.
The better people understand the goal behind those drenching us, and how to respond, the better chance democracy has of surviving.
1/ Assume about 40% of the people believe the lies⤵️
The danger isn’t that the number will grow past 50%.
The danger is that a large enough portion of the 60% who know that they are lies will get discouraged and give up.
The perpetrators of the lies want you to give up.
The danger isn’t that the number will grow past 50%.
The danger is that a large enough portion of the 60% who know that they are lies will get discouraged and give up.
The perpetrators of the lies want you to give up.
2/ That’s it in a nutshell. They’re trying to wear you out.
Here Clint Watts (@selectedwisdom) explains that one goal of active measures is to “undermine democracy, to make Americans lose confidence in democratic institutions. . . “
pbs.org/newshour/show/…
Here Clint Watts (@selectedwisdom) explains that one goal of active measures is to “undermine democracy, to make Americans lose confidence in democratic institutions. . . “
pbs.org/newshour/show/…
@selectedwisdom 3/ The “Firehose of Falsehood” propaganda method is specifically designed to wear you out.
Here I analyze the Rand study:
A liar can reel off dozens of lies in a matter of minutes. Refuting each one takes time.
Here I analyze the Rand study:
A liar can reel off dozens of lies in a matter of minutes. Refuting each one takes time.
@selectedwisdom 4/ From the Rand study: While we must refute the falsehoods, “retractions and refutations are seldom effective.”
“Don’t expect to counter the Firehose of Falsehood with a squirt gun of truth.”(p.9)
There are also large, dangerous lies that threaten to undermine democracy.
“Don’t expect to counter the Firehose of Falsehood with a squirt gun of truth.”(p.9)
There are also large, dangerous lies that threaten to undermine democracy.
@selectedwisdom 5/ For example, Barr's speech yesterday. Scary stuff, I know.
All the lies, big and small, are intended to undermine and destroy democracy.
Much of that 40% willingly embrace the lies, knowing they're lies.
See my Slate article if you missed it⤵️
slate.com/news-and-polit…
All the lies, big and small, are intended to undermine and destroy democracy.
Much of that 40% willingly embrace the lies, knowing they're lies.
See my Slate article if you missed it⤵️
slate.com/news-and-polit…
@selectedwisdom 6/ They embrace the lies because they know the lies are destructive, and they want to destroy.
The solution offered by the Rand study is to inoculate the population by putting raincoats on them so they can shrug and say, “There they go again. Lying.”
The solution offered by the Rand study is to inoculate the population by putting raincoats on them so they can shrug and say, “There they go again. Lying.”
@selectedwisdom 7/ We know they're lying. We expect them to continue lying. We know the lies will get bigger and scarier.
The fact is that our institutions are holding out against the onslaught. (Institutions include courts and agencies.)
That’s why Operation Ukraine Shakedown failed.
The fact is that our institutions are holding out against the onslaught. (Institutions include courts and agencies.)
That’s why Operation Ukraine Shakedown failed.
@selectedwisdom 8/ If you get discouraged and feel worn out, remember that Operation Ukraine Skakedown failed because enough people pushed back.
It's easy to lose sight of that because the Lie Machine keeps generating lies, so we forget that a scheme in the works for a year failed.
It's easy to lose sight of that because the Lie Machine keeps generating lies, so we forget that a scheme in the works for a year failed.
@selectedwisdom 9/ A new and outrageous lie (like Barr's speech yesterday) fills us with fright and alarm and makes us feel discouraged.
The lies are so outrageous they make you forget that the liars are on a losing streak.
They lost in 2018 and launched Operation Ukraine Shakedown.
The lies are so outrageous they make you forget that the liars are on a losing streak.
They lost in 2018 and launched Operation Ukraine Shakedown.
@selectedwisdom 10/ Operation Shakedown failed so they focused on the 2019 elections, and lost those.
But everyone goes into a panic when Barr aims the firehose of lies at us.
I’ve noticed people tend to wear out when they think that something other than our own hard work will save democracy.
But everyone goes into a panic when Barr aims the firehose of lies at us.
I’ve noticed people tend to wear out when they think that something other than our own hard work will save democracy.
@selectedwisdom 11/ Even removing Trump from office tomorrow won’t save democracy.
The larger problem is that the GOP is shielding him and seems to long for an authoritarian figure.
There’s always the danger is that someone will come along who can do the Trump act better.
The larger problem is that the GOP is shielding him and seems to long for an authoritarian figure.
There’s always the danger is that someone will come along who can do the Trump act better.
@selectedwisdom 12/ This is a long term problem and requires a long term solution.
Bottom line: Democracy will survive if enough people want it to, and are willing to put in the work.
Numbers are on our side. There are more of us: if we're willing to do the work.
Bottom line: Democracy will survive if enough people want it to, and are willing to put in the work.
Numbers are on our side. There are more of us: if we're willing to do the work.
@selectedwisdom 13/ What work? you ask. See ⤵️
terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
If you feel overwhelmed, step away from the screen.
Get off Twitter and get busy.
If everyone turns their anxiety and anger into constructive work, we’ll get through this.
terikanefield-blog.com/things-to-do/
If you feel overwhelmed, step away from the screen.
Get off Twitter and get busy.
If everyone turns their anxiety and anger into constructive work, we’ll get through this.
@selectedwisdom 14/ For whatever it’s worth, I walk the walk. Last year I spent two weeks in detention center in Texas offering legal assistance through @raicestexas to asylum seekers.
So far this year, I’ve put in dozens of volunteer hours doing voter protection legal work.
So far this year, I’ve put in dozens of volunteer hours doing voter protection legal work.
@selectedwisdom @RAICESTEXAS 15/ Protect yourself from fatigue.
Don't argue with bots. Don’t try to change the minds of Fox viewers.
If you feel discouraged, read my thread on Susan B. Anthony and consider what she was up against.
Carry on her fight.
Don't argue with bots. Don’t try to change the minds of Fox viewers.
If you feel discouraged, read my thread on Susan B. Anthony and consider what she was up against.
Carry on her fight.
@selectedwisdom @RAICESTEXAS 16/ They've always been with us.
You can't reprogram them because they're hardwired.
A lot of people feel more comfortable in a hierarchy. Democracy feels chaotic and messy.
That 40% wanted slavery in the Constitution.
They were in favor of Jim Crow . . .
You can't reprogram them because they're hardwired.
A lot of people feel more comfortable in a hierarchy. Democracy feels chaotic and messy.
That 40% wanted slavery in the Constitution.
They were in favor of Jim Crow . . .
@selectedwisdom @RAICESTEXAS 17/ They didn't want women to vote.
They'll always be with us.
There are political psychologists who have ideas for how to better deal with them, but right now we have to get through this crisis, which we do by simply outnumbering them.
Democracy is hard work . . .
They'll always be with us.
There are political psychologists who have ideas for how to better deal with them, but right now we have to get through this crisis, which we do by simply outnumbering them.
Democracy is hard work . . .
@selectedwisdom @RAICESTEXAS 18/ It requires give and take and compromise.
These things do not always come naturally.
My son at 3 came home from preschool and told me: "Today we learned to take turns. I don't like taking turns. I want all the turns."
(Don't worry. He's grown into a nice young man.)
These things do not always come naturally.
My son at 3 came home from preschool and told me: "Today we learned to take turns. I don't like taking turns. I want all the turns."
(Don't worry. He's grown into a nice young man.)
@selectedwisdom @RAICESTEXAS 19/ Not necessarily.
A lot of women are opposed to the ERA.
A lot of poor whites in the 19th century were in favor of slavery, even though they didn't own slaves, and were dominated politically [they were literally smashed] by the slaveowners.
A lot of women are opposed to the ERA.
A lot of poor whites in the 19th century were in favor of slavery, even though they didn't own slaves, and were dominated politically [they were literally smashed] by the slaveowners.
@selectedwisdom @RAICESTEXAS 20/ People continually vote against their own economic interests, knowingly perpetuating a system that keeps the rich rich and them below.
Why? Because there's something they want more than economic advancement.
The want order. They want to be protected from perceived enemies.
Why? Because there's something they want more than economic advancement.
The want order. They want to be protected from perceived enemies.
